PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA film review

-By Cate Marquis –

Beautiful but dull ‘Papa: Hemingway in Cuba’ shows why directors matter

The fact-inspired film “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” is a prime example of why a good director matters. As some sage once said, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”

The film is first American film shot in Cuba since Castro’s 1959 revolution, and there is so degree of thrill in seeing Hemingway’s home and the actual locations he frequented. In fact, the story takes place in 1959, with true-story basis loaded with dramatic potential. Sadly, producer-turned -director Bob Yari fails to put to good use to those elements, along with a strong cast. Only the most determined Hemingway devotees will get much out of Yari’s dull, pedestrian film.

Giovanni Ribisi plays young newspaperman Ed Myers (a stand-in for the real journalist Denne Bart Petitclerc, on whose memoir of his friendship with Hemingway the story is based). Ed writes a fan letter of sorts to his idol Hemingway, whom he credits with inspiring him as a writer, but loses nerve about sending it. His co-worker girlfriend Deb (Minka Kelly) finds the discarded letter and mails it to the author anyway. Shockingly, Hemingway (Adrian Sparks) calls the young writer at work – which Myers at first assumes is a prank. Once convinced the call is genuine, Myers accepts Hemingway’s invitation to visit him in Cuba for some fishing. A friendship is launched, as the legendary author begins to mentor the young journalist he calls Eddie or just “kid,” and Myers, who grew up in an orphanage, finds a father figure in the man everyone calls Papa.

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http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2016/04/papa-hemingway-cuba-review/